Calls to implement the deal and warnings over a lack of consensus
LIBYA – Positions of representatives of UN Security Council member states diverged on how to advance implementation of the “4+4” mini-meeting agreement during Wednesday’s session on 14 October 2026, following a briefing by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya, Hanna Tetteh — ranging from calls to abide by the deal and hold to account those who obstruct it, to warnings against bypassing Libyan institutions or proceeding with arrangements that lack broad consensus.
Washington calls for implementing the deal and punishing spoilers
US representative Jennifer Locetta welcomed the agreement signed in Tripoli on 30 August, calling for it to be implemented with a view to national elections under a unified executive authority, and encouraging House of Representatives Speaker Salehin Abdulnabi to cooperate with the UN mission and complete electoral reforms without delay.
Locetta criticised the High Council of State’s position, saying it was obstructing progress towards elections, and called on the council to fulfil its commitments. She also demanded that individuals and entities responsible for disrupting the political process be held accountable, including through sanctions.
The US official expressed concern over drone attacks on energy facilities and the resulting disruption to electricity and water services, noting that the closure of the Sharara–Zawiya pipeline during September had caused, according to what she presented, losses in oil revenues of nearly $95 million, and warning that continued targeting of energy infrastructure could expose those responsible to sanctions.
Britain insists on elections within 24 months
British envoy Sarah MacIntosh welcomed the agreement to amend electoral laws and hold presidential and parliamentary elections within 24 months, urging dialogue participants to honour their commitments and not reopen issues already settled, while broadening consultations to ensure the House of Representatives and the High Council of State recognise the deal.
MacIntosh said the transition to a single executive authority was necessary for a sustainable political settlement, stressing the continued role of the UN mission in supporting the unification of political, economic, military and security institutions, upholding rights and freedoms and holding perpetrators of violations to account, and strengthening the independence of the judiciary and preventing its division.
Russia warns against marginalising institutions and political forces
Russian envoy Vassily Nebenzia said the mini-meeting agreement was an important step to overcome political deadlock, but noted differing positions among forces that did not take part in the talks, citing a letter sent by Presidential Council President Mohamed Al-Menfi to the Security Council president on 12 October.
Nebenzia warned against marginalising influential institutions in the country, saying difficulty in dealing with them did not justify ignoring their views, and calling for building on previous legislation and understandings, including the Skhirat Agreement, and not allowing any new initiatives to cancel what had already been achieved.
The Russian envoy stressed that a successful political solution needed the support of Libya’s main forces, and that determining the country’s future must remain in Libyans’ hands through inclusive dialogue, with the United Nations continuing to coordinate international efforts and bringing external mediation under its framework.
China calls for broader consultations and avoiding a new conflict
China’s representative expressed hope that the “4+4” agreement would help unify institutions, hold elections and end the transitional phase, calling on the UN mission to adopt a comprehensive approach and strengthen communication with the various parties to avoid disputes that return the political process to deadlock.
He stressed respect for Libyans’ leadership of the political track and that solutions should not be imposed from outside, warning that a new armed conflict could undermine what had been achieved, and expressing concern over attacks in western Libya while emphasising the importance of unifying military institutions.
France calls for faster implementation and unifying the army
France’s representative welcomed the 30 August agreement and its adoption by the House of Representatives, calling for it to be implemented without delay as a step to strengthen institutions and prepare the ground for presidential and parliamentary elections.
He stressed the importance of unifying the military institution to restore state sovereignty and address security risks, expressing concern over deteriorating security in southern Libya and border areas with Niger, Chad and Sudan, and rejecting attacks on civilian infrastructure. He also called for greater financial accountability, improved wealth distribution and implementation of the unified budget framework agreement.
The French representative also expressed concern over the resumption of carrying out death sentences in eastern Libya, renewing his country’s call for abolition of the death penalty and respect for Libyans’ rights.
Denmark warns against attacks on energy facilities
Danish envoy Christina Markus Lassen welcomed the mini-meeting agreement and urged Libyan leaders to implement it, end the transitional phase and move towards elections and unified institutions enjoying legitimacy.
She warned that clashes, drone attacks and interference in the activity of oil facilities threatened what had been achieved politically, calling for an end to violence, unification of the military and security institutions through dialogue, and keeping energy facilities out of political and security conflicts.
The Danish envoy also called for a halt to carrying out death sentences and for a formal moratorium as a step towards abolishing the penalty.
Latvia criticises High Council of State stance and warns of judicial division
Latvian envoy Sanita Pavluta-Deslandes praised the House of Representatives’ adoption of the mini-meeting agreement, expressing regret that the deal had not gained political acceptance from the High Council of State within the set deadline, and urging the parties to put Libyans’ aspirations above personal and political interests and gains and to show flexibility.
She considered judicial division one of the obstacles to unifying the country, calling for restoring a unified body for constitutional jurisdiction, coordinating public spending and investments and implementing the unified budget agreement, as well as holding to account those responsible for attacks and enforced disappearances, and expanding the participation of civil society and women in the political process.
Al-Sunni calls for mission neutrality and clarifying reservations over “4+4”
In Libya’s statement to the Security Council, permanent representative Ambassador Taher Al-Sunni called on the UN mission to clarify its position on reservations by Libyan institutions and political forces regarding the mini-meeting mechanism, demanding broader consultations and that no party be excluded, and warning that arrangements not based on national consensus could deepen division and lead to measures open to judicial challenge.
Al-Sunni stressed the need for the mission to preserve neutrality and respect existing agreements and Libyan institutions, and for dialogues to lead to a binding electoral path rather than producing new transitional phases.
He condemned the targeting of oil and energy facilities, calling for accountability for those responsible for disrupting production, fuel smuggling and the seizure of revenues, without selectivity.
